The association between serum level of zinc and copper and prevalence of bladder cancer in Iraq

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary tract and the tenth most common malignant tumor throughout the world, with an estimated 4:1 male-to-female ratio. Men are primarily affected by it. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor in men and the eighth most common cancer in women in Iraq. Copper is an essential component of cells. Copper can participate in a variety of reactions by acting as an electron donor or recipient copper could have a role in the etiology, severity, and progression of cancer disease. Zinc the second most common trace element in the human body. Zinc plays a critical role in healthy human physiology and has also been linked to a few pathophysiological conditions. This study aimed to assess the level of zinc and copper in bladder cancer patients as well as the impact of changes in these minerals on the disease. Cu in patients’ group was significantly higher (146.09 ± 14.06 μg/dl) in compared to control (109.42 ± 17.04 μg/dl), p-≤ 0.001. while the mean of Zn in patients’ group was significantly lower (68.87 ± 11.13mg/dl) than mean in control group (98.20 ± 14.33mg/dl), p-≤ 0.001. The mean of Zn/Cu ratio in patients’ group was significantly lower (0.48 ± 0.11) than mean in control group (0.92 ± 0.22), p ≤ 0.001.